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Number: 2002-67
Date Released: June 7, 2002
EASTERN SAMAR: HOME OF THE WARAYS
(Results from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, NSO)

Population growth rate decreased to 0.79 percent

The total population of Eastern Samar as of May 2000, was 375,822 persons, an increase of 13,498 persons over the 1995 Census of Population results. This translated to an annual growth rate of 0.79 percent, from 1.80 percent in 1995. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 73,032 households, higher by 5,453 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 5.14 persons, slightly lower than the average household size recorded in 1995 but higher than the national average of five persons.

Borongan (provincial capital) and Guiuan had the largest share in terms of population size

Borongan, the provincial capital, shared the largest population in Eastern Samar, contributing 14.67 percent. It was followed by Guiuan (10.30 percent), Dolores (8.73 percent), and Oras (8.33 percent). On the other hand, the least populous municipality was Maslog (1.07 percent). In terms of population growth rate, Llorente had the fastest growth rate among the 23 municipalities in Eastern Samar with 4.04 percent, while Mercedes registered a negative growth rate of –2.52 percent.

Eastern Samar ranked fourth in terms of population size in Eastern Visayas

While Eastern Samar ranked fourth in terms of population size from among the six provinces in Eastern Visayas, with 10.41 percent of the 3.6 million persons of the region, it had the lowest population growth rate. At the national level, the province contributed 0.49 percent to the total population of 76.5 million.

Eastern Samar had a median age of 18 years

Eastern Samar had a median age of 18 years. This meant that half of the population were below 18 years. In 1995, the median age was 19 years.

Sex ratio was recorded at 105.36

There were 192.8 thousand males and 183.0 thousand females in Eastern Samar. This gave a sex ratio of 105.36 males for every 100 females in 2000, slightly higher than the 1995 figure of 104.61. There were more males in the age group 0 to 59 years, while more females were in the 60 years and above age group.

Overall dependency ratio was 88 in 2000

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 87.66, higher than the 1995 ratio of 86.77. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 88 dependents, i.e., 77 young dependents and 11 old dependents.

Over 60 percent females were degree holders

Of the total household population of 5 years old and over, more than half of the population completed or attended elementary education (50.09 percent); 24.54 percent, high school; were college undergraduate, 8.30 percent; and 0.30 percent were academic degree holders. Males dominated the elementary level (53.49 percent). On the other hand, high school (51.51 percent), post-secondary college (52.07 percent), college undergraduate (51.48 percent), academic degree holders (63.91 percent) and those with post baccalaureate courses (56.80 percent) were predominantly females.

Nine in ten were Warays

Majority of the household population in Eastern Samar classified themselves as Warays (97.78 percent). Other ethnic groups included Kapampangan (0.55 percent), Bisaya/Binisaya (0.43 percent), Cebuano (0.18 percent) and Tagalog (0.17 percent).

Married persons down by 4.99 percentage points

About 43.52 percent of the total population 10 years old and over were single, while 42.63 percent were married. The remaining 13.85 percent were either widowed, divorced/separated, with other arrangements or with unknown marital status. Majority of the single persons were men (55.67 percent) while 44.33 percent were women. The proportion of widowed females was remarkably higher (71.7 percent) than males (28.3 percent).

Housing occupancy rate was almost 100 percent

Out of 72,657 housing units in Eastern Samar, 72,600 units (99.92 percent) were occupied by 73,032 households (375,124 persons). It recorded a ratio of 1.01 households for every occupied housing unit or 5.17 persons per occupied housing unit.

Proportion of occupied housing units with roof made of galvanized iron increased to 42.49 percent

The proportion of housing units with roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum had increased from 27.12 percent to 42.49 percent in 2000. The proportion of housing units with roof made of cogon/nipa/anahaw however was down by 16.87 percentage points from 68.94 percent in 1990 to 52.07 percent in 2000. As to construction materials of the walls, the proportion of housing units with walls made of concrete/brick/stone increased from 4.56 in 1990 to 14.22 in 2000. On the other hand, the proportion of housing units with walls made of bamboo/sawali/cogon/nipa declined from 62.27 percent to 47.23 percent in 2000.

EASTERN SAMAR

Eastern Samar is a rough hilly province, which occupies the eastern portion of Samar Island.. On its north is Northern Samar; on the east, the Philippine Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean; on the west by Samar; and on the south by the Leyte Gulf. It is the first area in the Philippines sighted by Magellan on March 16, 1521. Magellan's crew called the islands, Zamal. The Spaniards anchored at the tiny island of Homonhon.

The province was created in June 19, 1965 by virtue of R.A. No. 4221 dividing Samar Island into three provinces.

The general populace speaks Waray, and growing of coconuts is the leading industry in the province. Others include cacao, rice, tobacco, root crops and corn. Fishing, cattle and poultry raising are also important industries. Tourist attractions include islands, caves, beaches and diverse historical and natural attractions. Guiguan has several offshore islands which has fine clear beaches and rich marine life, including the island of Homonhon.

Source: Fast Facts About Philippine Provinces
               By: Conrado M. Lancion, Jr.
               (Tahanan Books, Manila)

 
(Sgd.) CARMELITA N. ERICTA
Administrator

Table 1. Population Distribution of Top Five Municipalities by Sex: Eastern Samar, 2000

Municipalities Total Population Percent Male Female
Eastern Samar 375,822 100.00 192,820 183,002
     Borongan (capital) 55,141 14.67 28,138 27,003
     Guiuan 38,694 10.30 19,799 18,895
     Dolores 32,812 8.73 16,766 16,046
     Oras 31,315 8.33 16,082 15,233
     Llorente 19,336 5.14 9,834 9,502
     Other municipalities 198,524 52.82 102,201 96,323
Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 2. Total Population by Age Group, Sex and Sex Ratio: Eastern Samar, 2000

Age Group Total Population Male Female Sex Ratio
Eastern Samar 375,822 192,820 183,002 105.36
     Under 1 9,922 5,137 4,785 107.36
     1 to 4 41,441 21,462 19,979 107.42
     5 to 9 53,731 27,428 26,303 104.28
     10 to 14 48,217 24,465 23,752 103.00
     15 to 19 37,913 20,052 17,861 112.27
     20 to 24 28,485 14,943 13,542 110.35
     25 to 29 24,335 12,577 11,758 106.97
     30 to 34 22,041 11,422 10,619 107.56
     35 to 39 20,312 10,626 9,686 109.70
     40 to 44 17,555 9,063 8,492 106.72
     45 to 49 14,209 7,305 6,904 105.81
     50 to 54 13,138 6,648 6,490 102.43
     55 to 59 11,883 6,108 5,775 105.77
     60 to 64 10,399 5,026 5,373 93.54
     65 to 69 8,309 4,017 4,292 93.59
     70 to 74 6,184 2,941 3,243 90.69
     75 to 79 4,189 1,999 2,190 91.28
     80 & Over 3,559 1,601 1,958 81.77
Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 3. Household Population 5 Years Old and Over by Highest Educational Attainment and Sex: Eastern Samar, 2000

Highest Educational Attainment Household Population
5 Years Old & Over		 Male Female
Eastern Samar 323,782 165,687 158,095
     No Grade Completed 24,877 13,851 11,026
     Pre-School 7,354 3,706 3,648
     Elementary 162,200 86,756 75,442
     High School 79,454 38,526 40,928
     Post Secondary 6,437 3,085 3,352
     College Undergraduate 26,862 13,034 13,828
     Academic Degree Holder 11,326 4,087 7,239
     Post Baccalaureate 831 359 472
     Not Stated 4,441 2,281 2,160
Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 4. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: Eastern Samar, 2000

Ethnicity Both Sexes Male Female
Eastern Samar 375,124 192,274 182,850
     Waray 366,787 188,006 178,781
     Kapampangan 2,067 1,018 1,049
     Bisaya/Binisaya 1,613 811 802
     Cebuano 680 357 323
     Tagalog 621 300 321
     Others 2,510 1,307 1,203
     Not Reported 846 475 371
Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 5. Total Population 10 Years Old and Over by Age Group and Marital Status: Eastern Samar, 2000

Age Group Total Population
10 Yrs Old & Over		 Single Married Widowed Divorced/
Separated		 Others Unknown
Eastern Samar 270,728 117,813 115,406 13,128 2,670 20,602 1,109
     Below 20 86,130 82,085 1,865 55 80 1,468 577
     20 – 24 28,485 17,835 6,671 72 177 3,560 170
     25 – 29 24,335 7,842 12,279 123 281 3,733 77
     30 – 34 22,041 3,655 14,812 212 357 2,951 54
     35 – 39 20,312 2,025 15,029 309 413 2,494 42
     40 – 44 17,555 1,206 13,742 488 324 1,759 36
     45 – 49 14,209 828 11,068 634 279 1,366 34
     50 – 54 13,138 642 10,370 900 228 985 13
     55 – 59 11,883 494 9,123 1,235 192 819 20
     60 – 64 10,399 377 7,599 1,674 132 591 26
     65 – 69 8,309 293 5,685 1,813 103 400 15
     70 – 74 6,184 229 3,731 1,912 44 251 17
     75 – 79 4,189 130 2,185 1,706 33 126 9
     80 & Over 3,559 172 1,247 1,995 27 99 19
Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 6. Occupied Housing Units by Construction Materials of Outer Walls and Roof: Eastern Samar, 2000

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS OF THE
OUTER WALLS		 Total
Occupied
Housing
Units		 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS OF THE ROOF
Galvanized
Iron/
Aluminum		 Tile/
Concrete/
Clay Tile		 Half
Galvanized,
Iron and
Half
Concrete		 Cogon/
Nipa/
Anahaw		 Wood Makeshift/
Salvaged/
Improvised
Materials		 Asbestos/
Others/
Not Reported
Eastern Samar 72,600 30,849 245 2,076 37,800 633 107 890
     Concrete/Brick/Stone 10,323 9,614 83 147 448 17 1 13
     Wood 15,992 10,099 63 388 4,997 408 8 29
     Half Concrete/
       Brick/Stone
       and Half Wood		 9,377 7,158 40 1,079 1,027 47 3 23
     Galvanized
       Iron/Aluminum		 483 246 5 54 160 15 2 1
     Bamboo/Sawali/Nipa 34,286 3,200 - 374 30,515 131 29 37
     Others/Not Reported 2,054 486 52 33 623 14 62 784
     No Walls 85 46 2 1 30 1 2 3
Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

 

TECHNICAL NOTES

Average Household Size – average number of people who live in the household

Growth Rate – the rate at which the population is increasing (or decreasing) in a given year due to natural increase and net migration, expressed as a percentage of the base population

Median Age – the age at which exactly half of the population is young and half is old

Sex Ratio – the ratio of males to females in a given population expressed as the number of males per 100 females

Age-Dependency Ratio – the ratio of persons in the "dependent" ages (under 15 years and over 64 years) to those in the "economically productive" ages (15 to 64 years old) in the population

Household – a social unit consisting of a person or a group of persons who sleep in the same housing unit and have common arrangements in the preparation and consumption of food

The 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000) was undertaken by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in May 2000, as mandated by Commonwealth Act No. 591, Batas Pambansa Blg. 72 and Executive Order No. 121. It was the 11th census of population and 5th census of housing undertaken in this country since the first census in 1903. It was designed to take an inventory of the total population and housing units all over the Philippines and to collect information about their characteristics. Census day for the Census 2000 was May 1, 2000 (12:01 a.m.). Enumeration started on May 1, 2000 and lasted for about 30 days.

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Page last revised: June 7, 2002